GENEVA — Deliveries of lifesaving aid to Syrian civilians trapped in besieged areas are at their lowest level in almost a year, despite a cease-fire that has curbed fighting across much of the country, the United Nations said on Thursday. The cease-fire, brokered by Russia and Turkey at the end of December, is still holding and saving lives in many parts of the country, Mr. Egeland said. For January, the government approved all but five of those locations, Mr. Egeland said. But now, Mr. Egeland said, inhabitants of these towns are routinely dying for want of medical care. The United Nations mediator for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, is to attend the Astana meeting.

Source: New York Times January 19, 2017 22:00 UTC